Kraken or DPMS M4A1

[Marosu]

All right. I'm looking for a decent but low cost aeg. I would like to know what is the best between kraken and DPMS M4A1. I've heard the DPMS is a JG clone. I have read the thread about it and people keep saying it's crap, then someone says it's good. I'd like you guys so put a little bit of light over my choice. thank you

[Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw]

Well thats the problem with opinions, you will always find some people saying yay some people saying nay.

Personally only thing a DPMS is good for is for throwing at the wall when you get so pissed off at it breaking all the time with little to no aftermarket support (correct me if Im wrong). If its between those two then go for the Kraken, there are plenty of reviews on this site about it.

Why don't you look into getting Age Verified though, so you can have access to the classifieds here. There is a sticky in this forum at the top all about it and even a whole forum here dedicated to it. It will open up allot more choices for you in terms of QUALITY airsoft.

[Crunchmeister]

The DPMS M4 he's referring to is a JG, not a JG clone. I know several guys that are rocking the non-clear version and have been for a couple of seasons now completely stock and still run like new. Like a lot of JG guns, they can take a beating. Earlier this summer, a couple of them had me install bearing spring guides, reshim / regrease and add tightbore barrels, etc. After 2 years of play in the hands of some trigger happy hicap warriors, the internals showed no signs of wear at all. I'm a big fan of JG guns. They're affordable, and while some can cause problems, the majority not seem to be solid guns.

The Kraken is a good piece too, although I'm more leary about recommending it to a noob because they have a much higher failure rate. When you get a good one, you can have a gun that will last tens of thousands of rounds without issue. However, you're just as likely to get one whose mechbox will self-destruct before you get even 1 full mag out of it. If you know how to repair / maintain your own shit, this isn't much of an issue, as you'll probably crack the Kraken open and do the preventative maintenance before using it, and will be able to fix any problem easily. But for most noobs though, it's not that easy.

[Augiedoggy18]

Crunchmeister is absolutely correct, the DPMS M4A1 is MADE by JG; it is not a JG clone. As such, the myriad of aftermarket parts is astonishing. The gun is made for and distributed in North America by Palco Sports in Minnesota. Its a good, solid M4 that should last you many, many thousands of rounds. The internals are identical to the non-clear JG/DPMS M4 models.

As far as support goes, if you have a problem contact the retailer. If they won't help you out, call Palco Sports and work with them directly. They have a great track record of taking care of people. Good luck with your purchase!

[AngelusNex]

As long as it's the newer Modles of dpms M4s. I'm 99% certain that they used to be like Rock'n'roll said but they have upgraded from the craptastic tf16 esque 100% proprietary m4s to the JG rebrands. If your buying it from velocity arms then your getting the good one.

[TnT_13]

OR, maybe he's talking about the one from WALMART......which is horrid. A child could pick it up, shoot it and determine its a POS.

[L473ncy]

In the end it kind of depends on what you want out of it.

Kraken:

Pro:
- Cheap
- Described as a "3D instruction guide with screws that you can play with while upgrading slowly"

Con:
- High Failure rate (which is why you want to upgrade certain parts right off the bat and upgrade other parts over time)
- Need mechanical/electronic knowledge (so either learn to do things yourself fast or find a gundoc)

DPMS:

Pro:
- JG quality (not bad per se.... but not really good either)
- Lower failure rate (however you'll still probably need to learn about electronics/mechanics eventually).

Con:
- Bit more expensive and for a little more you can get a full black gun from a more reputable brand name (in the classifieds).

If you like taking things apart and trying to tune things to get better performance (I'm an OC'er and I like taking electronics apart to try and repair instead of sending it back to the factory or paying someone else to repair it). Then Kraken is probably the better choice.

HOWEVER if you just "expect" things to work (Mac: It just works.... .... yeah... ) then the DPMS is probably a better choice however you'll still need to eventually find a gundoc or get some mechanical knowledge.

[Marosu]

Thanks all for this help. The m4 i'm talking about is this one http://tinyurl.com/yk3ky7s

Surprised no one talked about g&g (thx for staying on subject)

[Tex]

yup that one is JG but it is the older model of JG. Lower QC and the gearbox isn't as good as the new ones. for the price though as something to start out with and upgrade it would be a much better choice then alot of other stuff out there in that price range.

both the JG and the kraken can be upgraded using normal "good" brand parts so I would say do you want an AK or an M4 and buy which one you want.

[Marosu]

All right thx people I'm getting the m4. Any primary updates? (I'll probably get metal bushings and tightbore barrel)

[Con Murder]

No that one is not the Jing Gong Crunch or Latency were talking about. That M4 is gauranteed to break! I just started upgradeing a friends A&K m4 S-system that was $500 claimed 380fps with .12 and looks BA!
Alas, my friend gave money for looks and his own vanity. This thing had a spring no longer than the mech box and a cylinder with no port. Fancy chinese goo everywhere with brittle plastic for a nozzle, spring guide and piston. That means for about $150-$200 its being allowed back into his hands. (oops, forgot that he paid $65 for TBB here in town so...)

Stay away from cheap. My friend paid more than you plan to, now is shelling out $200 to perform like the Velocityarms M4 S-system My brother got for $340.

The real world of airsoft has no corners to cut, its one straight highway with $Kph instead of Kph. Right or left lane?

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by Con Murder

No that one is not the Jing Gong Crunch or Latency were talking about. That M4 is gauranteed to break!

Stop talking out of your ass. The gun linked is a JG.

[Marosu]

:S I'm not going into any pro games, so the most important thing for me is reliability/cost. 200$ is really the maximum i would pay (for now) untill I get a Job and blabla. And as latency said, I expect things to work.

[Con Murder]

Originally Posted by Con Murder

No that one is not the Jing Gong Crunch or Latency were talking about.

So Crunch was talking about this one? http://tinyurl.com/yk3ky7s

Oops missed that. But if Marosu 'expects things to work' I hope it looks nothing like the A&K...

[Marosu]

I hope this too...